HOUSE GETS NO ASSURANCE FROM DA ON LOWER BASIC FOOD PRICES
The Department of Agriculture (DA) gave no assurances that retail prices of rice and other basic necessities will decline next week, despite House leaders’ call for an immediate solution to the huge gaps observed between retail and farm gate prices.
During the hearing of the House Committee on Trade and Industry, the United Broiler Raisers Association said the retail price of chicken is at least double its farm gate price of P90 to P95 a kilo.
A similar trend is observed by lawmakers in the price of rice.
That’s despite the claim of a group of supermarkets that their profit margin is only about eight to 10 percent.
“Give me a solution para magkaroon ng respite ang ordinaryong tao, na for the next few days, bababa ang presyo … Wala kayong ibinibigay, puro policy,” House Deputy Majority Leader and ACTCIS Party-List Representative Erwin Tulfo said.
“Ang problem kasi natin is not a short-term issue. It’s a systemic, long-term issue … Wala akong masasabi na very specific, next week bababa na ang presyo, but the whole government must address the problem holistically and united,” Director Jerome Bunyi from the DA replied.
“Short of arm twisting, I don’t think prices will go down next week, unless we sell at a loss,” Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association’s Steven Cua added.
Bunyi said the DA has proposed to the President the allocation of a buffer fund, provided for under the Price Act, for the purchase and stockpiling of any basic necessity or prime commodity, which may be sold at reasonable prices in areas where there is supply shortage or a need to effect changes in prevailing prices.
“Sa aming proposed implementing rules and regulations, 10 days maximum consumption ang pwedeng i-procure. Kung rice, mga P9 billion,” Bunyi explained.
House Speaker Martin
Romualdez said Congress has no problem supporting the proposal to allocate funding for buffer stock, but he said the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should also look for an immediate solution.
Lawmakers urged the DA and the DTI to step up efforts against abusive traders.
“‘Pag sinabi ng trader, ito ang ginastos ko, may gasoline ako, may taxes ako, sapat na ba ‘yun? Hindi niyo na tsinecheck sa food manufacturers natin magkano ang kuha nila sa inyo, versus sa sinasabi ng trader? … Tell them, “Hoy, sobra-sobra ang presyo mo!” Tulfo asked the DA.
“There are certain commodities that we computed for the cost build up from the farm gate hanggang makarating sa retail … ‘Pag sinabi nilang Divisoria … our apologies … hindi na namin matanong lahat ang taga-Divisoria, kasi medyo mahirap maginterview sa Divisoria,” DA Director Junibert de Sagun replied.
“The [DA] has, in fact, monitoring, surveillance and adjudication powers. Pero inutil eh,” Iloilo 4th District Representative Ferjenel Biron commented.
The panel will invite in the next hearing traders and middlemen for food and basic necessities.
“Tatanungin natin bakit ang laking agwat naman, masyadong malayo ang diperensya [ng retail at farm gate prices]. Kung hindi maayos ang explanation, kung masyadong matakaw lang sa kita, sabihin natin i-moderate nila ‘yan. Kung hindi … may mananagot diyan,” Romualdez said.
“We will address this to the respective head of departments, secretaries of the two departments. We shall call their attention for stricter enforcement of their policies and enforce the Price Act,” he added.
“Baka next week, ‘pag hindi pa sila tumigil, may masasampolan na,” Tulfo said. (ABS-CBN News)